Where do all these mods fit in?

[sqeet]

Okay, so when you search the forums looking for mod ideas, you come across a pretty generic list of things to do to your car to make it go zoom...my question is this: I guess starting from air coming in at the intake to exiting at the exhaust to the power at the wheels on the road, how do all the mods fit in to the picture of more torque/horsepower?

I dont necessarily need complete essays if you dont want to write them...but, even links to some good sites would be appreciated. I understand about colder air, and larger exhaust diameter but, alot of the things in the middle (cams, etc) confuse me.

Thanks for helping to dissipate the ignorance.

[99blackSE]

http://www.howstuffworks.com

[sqeet]

somehow, I knew that link would be posted here...

[sqeet]

In case anyone else wants to do all the reading I am about to embark on:

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/under-the-hood-channel.htm

[Matt95GT]

Originally posted by sqeet
somehow, I knew that link would be posted here...

In order to understand the "why" of modifications, you'll need to have a basic understanding in how all the basic components function.

There's also some great into on www.wikipedia.org on engines.

[roksoc]

and intake will cause more air and/or colder air to enter your engine this will allow more fuel to burn and will also cause it to burn with more force this causes more HP/tq.

exhaust lets your engine discard whats left after the fuel adn air mixture is burnt.

I guess the best analogy for intake would be being able to breathe in alot more air while running. It's a great thing to be able to breathe in more air but it would suck if you couldnt blow the air out after you took a breath. thats where exhaust comes into play its liek being able to exhale easily while runnig. thus if you have both an intake and exhaust it lets ur engine take air in easier and get rid of the waste faster which creates more hp/tq


I realize that this si a very simple example and there is much mroe to it but google is your friend.

[xxbackhillxx]

read this entire website and you will know everything

www.60degreev6.com

[bandit307]

Can someone point me in the direction of a wet kit that could be used on a ga? Or is it all universal, is there a direct port system for us?

[bandit307]

o crap. young post, sorry im retarded.

[ChevelleSSLS6]

60degreev6 and howstuffworks are awesome links... but basically to make power, make it easier for air to get into the engine, and exhaust to get out.

Of course, to deal with the extra air, you'll need more fuel if you're runnin foot-on-the-floor, but cruising the car will be using less power to pull air in and push exhaust out, resulting in slightly better mpg.

[sqeet]

Well, to be honest, I understood how increasing air flow helps. Basically, my issue was with how performance camshafts and rockers helped vehicle performance. But, once I read through howstuffworks, I came to understood why camshafts make a difference. Thanks for all the help with my automotive education, though!